The UK has everything it needs to lead the world in quantum computing. First-class scientific talent, a solid funding pipeline, groundbreaking companies and even a government industrial strategy, all that’s missing, according to Riverlane CEO Steve Brierley, is a sense of urgency.
Speaking to UKTN, Brierley – whose quantum company has raised $125m – celebrated the UK’s enviable position in the sector as “hugely impressive”.
“The numbers don’t lie,” Brierley said, pointing to the 1,300 people in the UK employed by the quantum sector – a 30% increase from last year – and to the billion pounds invested in British quantum in the last four years, as much as £300m of which was deployed last year.
Figures from the UK government in 2023 said Britain had 307 quantum patents, more than anywhere in Europe and fourth in the world behind Japan, China and the US….
